Giving Boost to Literacy for 2 Centuries
Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir was established on 7th February 1848 by Lokhitavadi Gopal Hari Deshmukh with help from British high officials and active involvement of the Governor of Bombay Sir, George Russel Clerke. The library was situated on ground floor of Budhwar Wada built by Peshva Bajirao II. This wada was destroyed by fire and the library too suffered a heavy toll. The Salvaged books were shifted to nearby Nagarkar Wada where it continued its existence serving citizens of Poona
It shifted to its present premises 181, Budhvar Peth, Laxmi Road near City Post Office in 1889 into its own building due to help of the then Governor of Bombay Lord Reay. Eminent personalities of Pune, Lokhitavadi Gopal Hari Deshmukh, Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, Krishnashastri Chiplunkar , Daji Nagarkar , Prof Chatre and others identified a plot of land nearby and collected donations from the public. A majestic building, then costing Rs25,176 came up here. The Governor of Bombay contributed Rs 12075 to the cause and thus came up “the Poona Native General Library” one of the oldest libraries in India and the oldest public library in Poona. On 23rd October 1921 it was renamed “”Nagar Vachan Mandir. Eminent citizens, Justice Ranade, Sir R G Bhandarkar, K.R.Kelkar and M M Kute have been associated with this Library from early days. Lokhitavadi Gopal Hari Deshmukh was a prominent social reformer promoting the cause of learning and education in those days and used his Judicial position for the betterment of the society.
The Library opened to the Public in 1889 at City Post Square and runs from the same majestic building which has European style arched windows and a majestic balcony overlooking the bustling road below. It has been declared as a heritage site by Pune Corporation. The library has a history of glorious 177 years. It is open to Public from 9am to 12 noon and 5 PM to 7PM every day.
Lokhitavadi Deshmukh established a similar library in Wai, in Satara District where he served as a Judge and in Ahmedabad. He was passionate about Indians learning Arts, Sciences and History of Indian people. He felt that housewives must acquire knowledge of money matters. He seriously believed that natives must be aware of their own position in society vis a vis the western societies and should learn custom and history of Europeans.
It is a matter of pride that this Institution is carrying out its objectives of spreading knowledge and education even after 177 years. It has spread its wings in Pune in far out areas such as Bibvevadi, Kothrud, Sinhagad Road, Warje and Pashan. Children and women have a special section for Reading. The Library is endowed with some rare old books. Social scientists and historians can receive pdf edition for the purposes of research on request.
The current President Shri Mehendale is carrying out this laudable work ably and the management has maintained a spacious hall which carries portraits of great social reformers of the nineteenth century along with other national figures. The library has over 70,000 books on subjects such as Economics, History, Philosophy, sciences and Religion. The work of digitisation of these rare books and manuscripts is going on to ensure its wisdom is retained for posterity. Those visiting Pune should visit this library and feel a justified pride in the development of a modern India.
Round the year programmes to spread education such as Book Festivals, speeches by luminaries, Classical Music Nights and Award ceremonies are carried out. This heritage sight is a must -see for book lovers.
